• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax P70 advantages over Canon G15

  • Less expensive
    $200 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 40 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 350g
    Lighter weight

Canon G15 advantages over Pentax P70

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.90 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.6
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Solid built and ergonomic, comfortable feel; Excellent f/1.8-2.8 5x optical zoom lens; Improved AF speed; Advanced photographic features, including PASM dial and RAW capture.

  • LCD screen no longer articulated; Optical viewfinder not very accurate and exhibits parallax; No WiFi or GPS.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSC-S980

Pentax P70
Sony DSC-S980
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Canon G15
Sony DSC-S980
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $149
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Pentax P80

Pentax P70
Pentax P80
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
Canon G15
Pentax P80
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus FE-4020

Pentax P70
Olympus FE-4020
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Manual focus
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels
Canon G15
Olympus FE-4020
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $150
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Pentax P70
Olympus XZ-2
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon G15
Olympus XZ-2
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon G16

Pentax P70
Canon G16
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon G15
Canon G16
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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